Traditional Woodcarving

Traditional Woodcarving Courses and Photo Gallery

Course Descriptions
Introduction to Basic Woodcarving: Students will learn basic techniques of woodcarving and safety through carving small objects.

Intermediate Woodcarving: Students will use more advance techniques than learned in Basic Woodcarving, such as hand-tool useage, carving techniques and safety, you will produce towo small projects.

Traditional Woodcarving: You will study the basic methods of woodcarving, including the use and care of tools. Layouts, processes, and techniques are demonstrated with an emphasis on traditional New Mexico styles.

About the Instructor:
A lifelong resident of Espanola, New Mexico, Lee Valdez creates unique craved traditional style wood crosses. He attended New Mexico State University from 1966 to 1969 and started carving in 1996 upon retiring from State Government. His passion for woodcarving was born when he enrolled for classes in "Traditonal Woodcarving" and "Spanish Colonial Furniture Making" at Northern New Mexico Community College. He has been a member of the acclaimed Santa Fe Traditional Spanish Market for five years where he received recognition for his art. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards at the New Mexico State Fair's Hispanic Arts Exhibit and the Espanola Valley Arts Festival. He annually participates in Mercado Antiquo in Corralez, New Mexico. For the last four years Lee has been an instructor in the Art Department of NNMC where he teaches Traditional Woodcarving.